Bega Labor candidate Leanne Atkinson says a campaign promise of 600,000 free TAFE places would also boost solar installations. Ms Atkinson said renewable installation would be one of the Certificate 4 courses funded if Labor governs NSW after the March 23 election. She said solar subsidies would also be increased to $2200, boosting demand for trained installers. Labor has promised to free places in sectors experiencing skills shortages, such as child care, disability care, aged care, construction, plumbing, and electrical trades, including renewable energy. Ms Atkinson said Labor would “support 500,000 households to install roof-top solar” from 2019-20. “Households with a combined income of up to $180,000 would be eligible for the rebate of up $2200,” she said. READ MORE: Coalition announces funds to dredge Batemans Bay bar “On average if a household gets a 4kw system, they could expect to save about $600 per year, if they are looking at a bill of about $1800.” A coronial inquiry into the deaths of three young Queensland insulation workers on the former federal Labor Government’s ill-fated home insulation program in 2009-10 found haste led to lax safety procedures. Ms Atkinson said Labor would ensure an accreditation program. “To ensure the safe installation of panels, the program would also support workforce development, training and accreditation of electricians,” she said. Ms Atkinson said the free TAFE places would be funded by savings from Sydney’s $2.2 billion stadium proposals, which would be canned. She said the sectors targeted were based on federal government labour market figures for regional areas published in 2018. “In the five years to May 2023 we expect a demand in NSW for 85,000 more jobs in health and social assistance, 41,000 in construction, 69,200 in aged care and disability and 27,000 for childcare,” she said. “Labor will guarantee that at least 70 per cent of all vocational education and training funding will be allocated to TAFE, “We will set up a private providers investigation unit which will investigate complaints by students, ensure private providers are delivering courses at the required standard and prevent private providers preying on vulnerable people by pressuring them to enrol in courses.” Asked if TAFE had the staff to meet projected demand, she said Labor was considering its options. “I have had teachers tell me they are either leaving or have left TAFE because they worry about security of employment; I am have been reporting this back to the shadow minister and we will be responding to this prior to the election.”

“On average if a household gets a 4kw system, they could expect to save about $600 per year, if they are looking at a bill of about $1800.”

A coronial inquiry into the deaths of three young Queensland insulation workers on the former federal Labor Government’s ill-fated home insulation program in 2009-10 found haste led to lax safety procedures.

Ms Atkinson said Labor would ensure an accreditation program.

“To ensure the safe installation of panels, the program would also support workforce development, training and accreditation of electricians,” she said.

Ms Atkinson said the free TAFE places would be funded by savings from Sydney’s $2.2 billion stadium proposals, which would be canned.

She said the sectors targeted were based on federal government labour market figures for regional areas published in 2018.

Leanne Atkinson

“In the five years to May 2023 we expect a demand in NSW for 85,000 more jobs in health and social assistance, 41,000 in construction, 69,200 in aged care and disability and 27,000 for childcare,” she said.

“Labor will guarantee that at least 70 per cent of all vocational education and training funding will be allocated to TAFE,

“We will set up a private providers investigation unit which will investigate complaints by students, ensure private providers are delivering courses at the required standard and prevent private providers preying on vulnerable people by pressuring them to enrol in courses.”

Asked if TAFE had the staff to meet projected demand, she said Labor was considering its options.

“I have had teachers tell me they are either leaving or have left TAFE because they worry about security of employment; I am have been reporting this back to the shadow minister and we will be responding to this prior to the election.”